When a child enters middle school, they also become preteens, which is perhaps the most awkward part of their entire life. While many parents have read What to Expect When You Are Expecting and the Toddler Tantrum Guide, it seems there is a significant lacking of books that help parents manage this difficult time during their child’s life. However, according to Dayanna Volitich, it is possible to make this period as painless as possible, with the right support and guidance.
Dayanna Volitich on Making it Through the Middle School Years
There are a number of reasons why the middle school years are so difficult, and particularly so for girls. This is because, for girls, their body starts to change in very physically obvious mother. Additionally, there are hormones start raging and they start to feel the pressure of societal expectations in terms of how they look and how much they weigh. Boys, meanwhile, have to deal with hormones, changing Bodies, body odor, sexual feelings, and more. Thankfully, help is available. As a parent, you should:
- Try to be as tuned in as possible to your child. Remember that you were this age once as well.
- Remember that you are first a parent and second a friend. This means your child should feel comfortable talking to you about anything.
- Try as much as possible to not let your child’s hormonal behavior get to you and make you angry.
- Always stay calm, no matter how infuriating the things they do and say may be.
- Make sure that you do lots of fun things that are of interest to your preteen.
- Convey to your child the message that they can trust you and that you will always be there for them.
If you are lucky enough to have a boy, there are a few things that will be much easier for you. Royston to find it quite easy to make friends and they don’t judge others as much for the clothes that they wear. There looks and weight are also less important to them. However, that does not mean they are somehow called and don’t need support. If you have a boy, make sure that they also know they can talk to you at any point period try to find extra curricular activities such as sports that they enjoy and make sure you hang out with them, particularly if they are not into sports.
The preteen years are difficult for any parent as well as for a child. It is a period that you have to simply go through and it is essential to overall development and turning into an adult. Patience is absolute key as is offering a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on whenever it is needed. Try, as much as possible, to also work with your child’s educators to ensure their school experience is as positive as possible. And don’t forget to take some time out for yourself every once in a while as well.